Game of the Week: Future’s Bright For Astros Prospects

By Bethany Cohen
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Updated: April 22, 2015

The Houston Astros’ next generation of All-Stars is currently in the spotlight as they make their way through the Farm System. Top prospect, shortstop Carlos Correa and their #2 prospect RHP Mark Appel who were drafted first overall in 2012 and 2013, have made their mark in what looks to be a bright future for the Astros.

The twenty year old Correa became the first player from Puerto Rico to be drafted first overall. He was selected to play in the 2013 All-Star Future’s Game at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. His minor league journey was going as planned until June 2014 when he fractured his right leg, ending his season. Before the 2015 season, Correa was rated the third best prospect in baseball along with being the top shortstop in the Minors. He was assigned to Double-A Corpus Christi after Spring Training this season and has been showing his true potential so far. He is currently batting .356 along with two homers and 13 RBIs.

Appel, a twenty three year old starting pitcher, was drafted originally by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 with the eighth overall pick but he decided to play at Stanford instead. He played in the Arizona Fall League in 2014, where he was (1-0) and recorded a 2.61 ERA and made the All-Prospect Team for all Top Rated players in the AFL. Appel was also assigned to Double-A Corpus Christi this season and has made two appearances so far and with 5 innings of work in each appearance with a (2-0) record while striking out eight batters and allowing just four hits and one run.

Not only does the Corpus Christi Hooks have two #1 Draft picks and top two rated players in the system on the roster they also have four other top ten prospects as well. Third baseman Colin Moran (#6), Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (#8), LHP Josh Hader (#9) and RHP Lance McCullers (#10) are all helping Corpus Christi get atop the Texas League North Standings.

Bethany Cohen

Bethany is a Graduate of the University of South Florida and currently resides in Tampa. She is a die-hard Yankees' fan and has been a freelance writer for six years. She has covered the Yankees' Minor League System since 2010 and also does freelance work for Examiner.com and CBS Local Tampa Bay. Follow her on Twitter @TampaBethany